U.S. patent application number 14/410689 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-02 for microbiologically protected fuel cell.
The applicant listed for this patent is MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC. Invention is credited to Razmik B. Boodaghians, Yannick Brunaux, Andreas Hoogeveen, Jean-Paul Libis.
Application Number | 20150188171 14/410689 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48782648 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150188171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boodaghians; Razmik B. ; et
al. |
July 2, 2015 |
MICROBIOLOGICALLY PROTECTED FUEL CELL
Abstract
Disclosed is a fuel cell fluid purification system. The fuel
cell fluid purification system can include a fuel cell system
configured to receive a hydrogen input comprising hydrogen, receive
an oxygen input comprising a first fluid having an initial
concentration of oxygen, and convert the hydrogen input and the
oxygen input so as to yield a number of outputs. The outputs can
include a water output comprising water, a heat output comprising
heat, an oxygen-depleted output comprising the first fluid having a
concentration of oxygen lower than the initial concentration, and
an electric output comprising electrical power. The fuel cell fluid
purification system can also include a purification system
configured to purify at least one of the oxygen input, the water
output, or the oxygen-depleted output.
Inventors: |
Boodaghians; Razmik B.;
(Glendale, CA) ; Brunaux; Yannick; (Saint Cyr
L'Ecole, FR) ; Libis; Jean-Paul; (Bievres, FR)
; Hoogeveen; Andreas; (Enkhuizen, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC |
Carson |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48782648 |
Appl. No.: |
14/410689 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
June 27, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2013/048188 |
371 Date: |
December 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61665977 |
Jun 29, 2012 |
|
|
|
61694322 |
Aug 29, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 8/0662 20130101;
H01M 2008/1095 20130101; Y02T 90/40 20130101; H01M 2250/20
20130101; C02F 1/32 20130101; Y02E 60/50 20130101; H01M 8/06
20130101; C02F 2303/04 20130101; H01M 8/0687 20130101; H01M 8/04141
20130101; H01M 8/1004 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 8/06 20060101
H01M008/06; H01M 8/10 20060101 H01M008/10 |
Claims
1. A fuel cell fluid purification system comprising: (A) a fuel
cell system configured to: (i) receive a hydrogen input comprising
hydrogen, (ii) receive an oxygen input comprising a first fluid
having an initial concentration of oxygen, (iii) convert the
hydrogen input and the oxygen input so as to yield: (a) a water
output comprising water, (b) a heat output comprising heat, (c) an
oxygen-depleted output comprising the first fluid having a
concentration of oxygen lower than the initial concentration, and
(d) an electric output comprising electrical power; and (B) a
purification system configured to purify at least one of the oxygen
input, the water output, or the oxygen-depleted output.
2. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the
purification system comprises a germicidal ultraviolet light
source.
3. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 2, wherein the
purification system further comprises a power supply and a conduit
configured to convey a fluid to be purified through ultraviolet
light provided by the germicidal ultraviolet light source.
4. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 2, wherein the
purification system further comprises a UV light sensor
assembly.
5. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 3, wherein the
fluid to be purified comprises the oxygen input.
6. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 3, wherein the
fluid to be purified comprises the oxygen-depleted output.
7. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 6, wherein the
oxygen-depleted output after purification is adapted for use in
systems aboard a craft.
8. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 3, wherein the
fluid to be purified comprises output water.
9. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 8, wherein the
water output after purification is adapted for use in systems
aboard a craft.
10. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the
purification system comprises an ionizer.
11. A fuel cell fluid purification system comprising: (A) a fuel
cell system configured to: (i) receive a hydrogen input comprising
hydrogen, (ii) receive an oxygen input comprising a first fluid
having an initial concentration of oxygen, (iii) receive a water
input comprising water, the water input adapted for supplying water
to a proton exchange membrane, (iv) convert the hydrogen input and
the oxygen input so as to yield: (a) a water output comprising
water, (b) a heat output comprising heat, (c) an oxygen-depleted
output comprising the first fluid having a concentration of oxygen
lower than the initial concentration, and (d) an electric output
comprising electrical power; and (B) a purification system
configured to purify at least one of the oxygen input, the water
input, the water output, or the oxygen-depleted output.
12. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 11, wherein
the purification system comprises a germicidal ultraviolet light
source, a power supply, and a conduit configured to convey a fluid
to be purified through ultraviolet light provided by the germicidal
ultraviolet light source, wherein the fluid to be purified
comprises the water input.
13. The fuel cell fluid purification system of claim 11, wherein
the water output supplies the water input and the purification
system is configured to purify the water supplied from the water
output to the water input.
14. A method for operating a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
system, the fuel cell system configured to receive a water input to
supply water to a proton exchange membrane, the fuel cell system
configured to receive a hydrogen input, the fuel cell system
configured to receive an air input, and the fuel cell system
operable to produce at least electricity, heat, water, and oxygen
depleted air, the method comprising: purifying at least one of the
air input or the water input; and operating the fuel cell to
produce electricity, heat, water, and oxygen depleted air.
15. The method for operating a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
system of claim 14, further comprising purifying at least one of
the air output or the water output.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/665,977, entitled "FUEL CELL BYPRODUCTS," filed
Jun. 29, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. 54967/845370) and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/694,322, entitled "PROTECTION OF
FUEL CELL FROM AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS CONTAINED IN INTAKE AIR," filed
Aug. 29, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. 41052/850565), the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Vast numbers of people travel every day via aircraft,
trains, buses and other commercial vehicles. Such commercial
vehicles are often outfitted with components that are important for
passenger comfort and satisfaction. For example, commercial
passenger aircraft can have catering equipment, heating/cooling
systems, lavatories, water heaters, power seats, passenger
entertainment units, lighting systems, and other components. A
number of these components on-board an aircraft require electrical
power for their activation. Although many of these components are
separate from the electrical components that are actually required
to run the aircraft (i.e., the navigation system, fuel gauges,
flight controls, and hydraulic systems), an ongoing concern with
these components is their energy consumption. Frequently, such
systems require more power than can be drawn from the aircraft
engines' drive generators, necessitating additional power sources,
such as a kerosene-burning auxiliary power unit (APU) (or by a
ground power unit if the aircraft is not yet in flight). This power
consumption can be rather large, particularly for long flights with
hundreds of passengers. Additionally, use of aircraft power
produces noise and CO.sub.2 emissions, both of which are desirably
reduced.
[0003] The relatively new technology of fuel cell systems provides
a promising cleaner and quieter means to supplement energy sources
already aboard commercial crafts. A fuel cell system combines a
fuel source of compressed hydrogen with oxygen in the air to
produce electrical energy as a main product. A fuel cell system has
several outputs in addition to electrical power, and these other
outputs often are not utilized and therefore become waste. For
example, thermal power (heat), water and oxygen-depleted air (ODA)
are produced as by-products. These by-products are far less harmful
than CO2 emissions from current aircraft power generation
processes.
[0004] Furthermore, commercial vehicles typically have the capacity
to carry dozens to hundreds of people per trip. With such large
numbers of people in a confined space, there is a risk of
propogation of bacteria or other pathogens, which can negatively
affect passengers and/or equipment. For example, if pathogens
propagate into the fuel cell system, biofilm or other biological
degradation can occur, resulting in reduction of performance or
even failure of the system. This problem may also be exacerbated in
commercial craft, which commonly undergo numerous and/or extended
intervals of non-operation for maintenance or other servicing
between trips, resulting in significant spans of time in which
pathogen growth can go unchecked. As such, systems that may be
implemented to counteract the spread of bacteria and other
pathogens are desirable for safeguarding the health of passengers
and/or the operational health of equipment aboard the craft.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The following presents a simplified summary of some
embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic
understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify
key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of
the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of
the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is presented later.
[0006] As an example embodiment, disclosed is a fuel cell fluid
purification system. The fuel cell fluid purification system can
include a fuel cell system configured to receive a hydrogen input
comprising hydrogen, receive an oxygen input comprising a first
fluid having an initial concentration of oxygen, and convert the
hydrogen input and the oxygen input so as to yield a number of
outputs. The outputs can include a water output comprising water, a
heat output comprising heat, an oxygen-depleted output comprising
the first fluid having a concentration of oxygen lower than the
initial concentration, and an electric output comprising electrical
power. The fuel cell fluid purification system can also include a
purification system configured to purify at least one of the oxygen
input, the water output, or the oxygen-depleted output.
[0007] In a further example embodiment, a fuel cell fluid
purification system can include a fuel cell system further
configured to receive a water input comprising water. The water
input can be adapted for supplying water to a proton exchange
membrane. The fuel cell fluid purification system can also include
a purification system configured to purify at least one of the
oxygen input, the water input, the water output, or the
oxygen-depleted output.
[0008] As another example embodiment, disclosed is a method for
operating a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system. The fuel
cell system can be configured to receive a water input to supply
water to a proton exchange membrane, a hydrogen input, and an air
input. The fuel cell system can also be operable to produce at
least electricity, heat, water, and oxygen depleted air. The method
includes purifying at least one of the air input or the water
input. The method also includes operating the fuel cell to produce
electricity, heat, water, and oxygen depleted air.
[0009] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of
the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing
detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the inputs and outputs of a
fuel cell system and non-limiting examples of how the outputs can
be used.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of an ultraviolet
purification assembly in accordance with various embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inputs and outputs of a
fuel cell system and non-limiting examples of how the inputs and/or
outputs can be purified in accordance with various embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternate arrangement of
the system illustrated in FIG. 3 in accordance with various
embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a non-limiting example
use of fuel cell byproducts in accordance with an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuel cell system in
accordance with various embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a table of common pollutants treated in accordance
with various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In the following description, various embodiments of the
present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation,
specific configurations and details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
[0018] Disclosed herein are systems and processes for treating
outputs and/or inputs of fuel cell systems used as a power source
aboard aircraft. While the fuel cells are discussed for use in
aircrafts, they are by no means so limited and may be used in
buses, trains, spacecraft, or other forms of transportation
equipped with fuel cell systems.
[0019] A fuel cell system is a device that converts chemical energy
from a chemical reaction involving hydrogen or other fuel source
and oxygen-rich gas (e.g., air) into electrical energy. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, a fuel cell system 100 combines an input of
hydrogen or another fuel source 110 with an input of oxygen 120 to
generate electrical energy (power) 160. Along with the generated
electrical energy 160, the fuel cell system produces water 170,
thermal power (heat) 150, and oxygen-depleted air (ODA) 140 as
by-products. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, some or all of the
fuel cell output products of electrical energy 160, heat 150, water
170, and ODA 140 may be used to operate systems aboard the
aircraft, such as, but not limited to, systems of a lavatory 182 or
a shower 184 aboard the aircraft. Output products can additionally
and/or alternatively be routed to other areas for use where such
output products are useful, including, but not limited to, routing
to aircraft wings for ice protection, to galleys, to passenger
cabins, and/or to fuel tanks One or more than one output product
can be utilized in any given location, and any given output product
may be utilized in one or more locations. Exemplary, but
non-limiting, examples of aircraft systems utilizing fuel cell
output products are disclosed in International Patent Application
No. PCT/US13/030638, entitled "FUEL CELL SYSTEM POWERED LAVATORY,"
filed Mar. 13, 2013 (Applicant's File Reference No. 862890) and
International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2013/052004, entitled
"POWER MANAGEMENT FOR GALLEY WITH FUEL CELL," filed Mar. 13, 2013
(Applicant's File Reference No. 862904) the entire disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0020] Any appropriate fuel cell system may be used, including, but
not limited to, a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), a
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC),
a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), an Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC), or
a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC). Any other existing or future
fuel cell system technology, including, but not limited to, a
hybrid solution, may also be used.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of a germicidal light
treatment assembly 200 in accordance with various embodiments. In
various embodiments, the germicidal light treatment assembly 200
includes a germicidal light source 202, a power supply 204, a fluid
inlet 206, a fluid outlet 208, and a fluid manifold 210. The
treatment assembly 200 can also optionally include a germicidal
light sensor assembly 212. In embodiments, the power supply 204
supplies the power to operate the germicidal light source 202. The
germicidal light source can be configured to operate at a
germicidal wavelength that is effective to kill bacteria, viruses,
and other pathogens borne in a fluid and disposed within a certain
distance from the light source. The fluid can be a liquid and/or a
gas, including, but not limited to, water and/or air. The
germicidal light source may be one or more lamps and/or a Light
Emitting Diode (LED) array. While any germicidal light source can
be used, in various embodiments, the germicidal light source
produces ultraviolet (UV) light, and in several embodiments, the
germicidal light source is operated at a nominal ultraviolet
wavelength of 254 nm.
[0022] In various embodiments, a fluid to be purified enters the
germicidal light treatment assembly 200 via the fluid inlet 206.
From the inlet 206, the fluid can be transported through the fluid
manifold 210. While passing through the manifold 210, the fluid is
exposed to the germicidal light from the germicidal light source
202 in order to neutralize pathogens within the fluid stream. After
an amount of time providing sufficient exposure to light from the
germicidal light source 202 to ensure a sufficient eradication
level of the pathogens in the fluid, the purified fluid can be
transported out of the germicidal light treatment assembly 200 via
the fluid outlet 208. In embodiments, an optional germicidal light
sensor assembly 212 is configured to detect levels of germicidal
light within the manifold 210. In some embodiments, the detected
levels of germicidal light can be utilized to determine and/or
adjust the exposure to germicidal light provided in the manifold
210.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inputs and outputs of a
fuel cell system and non-limiting examples of how the inputs and/or
outputs might be purified. Purifying one or more of the inputs or
outputs can advantageously protect the fuel cell system equipment
from biological degradation and/or make output products more
operationally ready for other purposes. As a non-limiting example,
the operation of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system
depends upon a sensitive polymer membrane maintained within certain
hydration and temperature ranges; deviation from these ranges may
result in reduction of performance or even rupture of the membrane.
Purification of inputs contacting the membrane may protect the
membrane by preventing bacterial growth which could otherwise cause
formation of a biofilm that could degrade the membrane or otherwise
interfere with efforts to maintain the membrane within its
environmental tolerances. Even if pathogen growth is unlikely
during operation of the fuel cell, such purification measures may
provide a way to minimize the accumulation of pathogens that might
grow during periods of non-operation of the fuel cell, such as when
an aircraft is parked in between flights.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the
oxygen-rich gas 320 to be used by the fuel cell system 300 is
treated by passage through a treatment unit 325 prior to being
delivered to the system 300. In embodiments, the treatment unit may
include a germicidal light treatment assembly 200 as described with
reference to FIG. 2, but the treatment unit 325 need not be so
limited. Indeed, in some embodiments, the treatment unit 325
includes an ionizer utilizing charged particles to attract and trap
pathogens. Alternatively, the treatment unit 325 can also utilize
photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) to generate particles to trap
pathogens. The treatment unit 325 can also utilize any other
suitable purification method and may utilize more than one
purification method at once. For example, the treatment unit 325
may use an ultraviolet light for both germicidal irradiation as
well as for PCO. Also, the treatment unit 325 can utilize one or
more types of purification devices and/or one or more purification
methods.
[0025] In some embodiments, in addition to the oxygen supply 320
and the fuel supply 310, a supply of water 330 is provided to the
fuel cell system 300. As a non-limiting example, a fuel cell system
300 may utilize a supply of water 330 to regulate the hydration
level of the membrane in a PEM-type fuel cell system. In some
embodiments, the supply of water 330 is treated by passage through
a treatment unit 335 prior to being delivered to the system 300.
While in some embodiments, treatment unit 335 utilizes ultraviolet
germicidal light, the treatment unit 335 need not be so limited,
but (similar to the treatment unit 325) can utilize one or more
types of purification devices and/or one or more purification
methods.
[0026] In some embodiments, the output product of the oxygen
depleted gas 340 can be treated by passage through a treatment unit
345. While in some embodiments, treatment unit 345 utilizes
ultraviolet germicidal light, the treatment unit 345 need not be so
limited, but (similar to the treatment unit 325) can utilize one or
more types of purification devices and/or one or more purification
methods.
[0027] In some embodiments, the output product of water 370 can be
treated by passage through a treatment unit 375. While in some
embodiments, treatment unit 375 utilizes ultraviolet germicidal
light, the treatment unit 375 need not be so limited, but (similar
to the treatment unit 325) can utilize one or more types of
purification devices and/or one or more purification methods.
[0028] While FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration of a fuel cell
system 300 in which the supply of oxygen-rich gas 320, the supply
of water 330, the output product of oxygen depleted air 340, and
the output product of water 370 are each passed through respective
treatment units (325, 335, 345, and 375), embodiments need not be
so limited. Each of the treatment units (325, 335, 345, and 375)
could be omitted without removing the resulting configuration from
the scope of the present disclosure. As such, each of the treatment
units (325, 335, 345, and 375) are shown in FIG. 3 using dashed
lines. Similarly, the supply of water 330 could be omitted without
removing the resulting configuration from the scope of the present
disclosure. In embodiments, regardless of which of these features
are omitted or included, one or more of the output products of the
fuel cell system 300 (i.e., oxygen depleted air 340, heat 350,
power 360, and/or water 370), can be optionally routed to provide
resources to craft systems 380 (such as, but not limited to
lavatory 182 and shower 184). Accordingly, in at least such
embodiments, purifying one or more of the inputs or outputs can
advantageously protect the operational health of the fuel cell
system from biological degradation and/or make the output products
more operationally ready for other purposes.
[0029] For example, purifying the output water 370 can prepare the
water 370 to be used in a variety of applications onboard the
aircraft. Uses include, but are not limited to, sanitary water for
faucets expected to be used by passengers to wash hands and faces,
water to flush toilets, water to supplement potable drinking water
held in an aircraft potable water tank, cooling misters on
passenger seating units, and/or other uses that can also
potentially reduce the total volume of water loaded on aircraft
prior to departure. Similarly, purifying the output oxygen depleted
air 340 can prepare the ODA 340 to be used in a variety of
applications onboard the aircraft. Uses include, but are not
limited to, preheating water tanks on the coffee and/or tea makers,
preheating food containers and/or trollies in the galley,
sanitizing and deodorizing the lavatory by cycling bursts of the
ODA through the lavatory, and/or supplying hot air for blower-style
hand-dryers and/or surface dryers.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, an amount of
the water output 470 can be utilized to provide a water input 430
to the fuel cell system 400. In some embodiments, the output
product of water 470 is treated by passage through a treatment unit
475 before use for the water input 430. While in some embodiments,
treatment unit 475 utilizes ultraviolet germicidal light, the
treatment unit 475 need not be so limited, but (similar to the
treatment unit 325) can utilize one or more types of purification
devices and/or one or more purification methods. In some
embodiments, at least a portion of the output product water 470
that is purified through treatment unit 475 and that is not routed
to the water input 430 is routed delivered to be utilized by other
craft systems 480.
[0031] Although various aspects of this disclosure are directed to
sanitation or cleaning through the use of ultraviolet germicidal
light sources in conjunction with output products of a fuel cell,
germicidal light sources and fuel cell products may be utilized for
sanitation purposes either separately or together. For example, the
ODA produced by the fuel cell can be used for drying hands with or
without first being treated by a treatment unit comprising a
germicidal light source. The ODA produced by the fuel cell can also
be used for drying wet surfaces in the lavatory, galley, and/or
aircraft cabin interior, regardless of prior UV treatment. As
further examples, hot ODA and/or water products (e.g. steam) from
the fuel cell may be used alone or combined with UV treatment to
clean equipment or surfaces such as may be included in lavatories,
galleys, sinks, and aircraft cabin. Additionally, as a substitute
or complement to UV treatment the ODA can be treated by initially
removing the moisture from the ODA and later raising its
temperature, if desired. The schematic illustrated in FIG. 5 shows
one such possible process including the removal of the moisture
from ODA as well as the potential applications of the water removed
(i.e., condensed water) after optional treatment with UV and/or
being odorized. UV treatment can also be used alone (i.e., without
supplementation by fuel cell products) to sanitize areas within the
aircraft. For example, when the lavatory is not in use, a sliding
UV treatment probe hidden inside a cabinet may be deployed over the
toilet seat or counter surface to expose the surface to germicidal
light for sanitation. Such a probe may also be utilized on food
preparation surfaces in galleys or in other areas within the
aircraft. Alternatively, larger banks of germicidal light sources
can be utilized in place of probes in order to treat an entire
area, such as a lavatory, when it is not occupied by a
passenger.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuel cell system in
accordance with various embodiments. In some embodiments, a fuel
cell system 600 can include a main cooling loop 602 for relaying
water in and out of the fuel cell stacks 604 in order to exchange
and/or transport heat 150 produced by the fuel cell system 600. The
main cooling loop may include a water cooling inlet 606 and a water
cooling outlet 608. In some embodiments, the main cooling loop 602
may be utilized to provide a water supply 330 to regulate the
hydration level of the membrane in a PEM-type fuel cell system, but
the main cooling loop 606 can also be distinct from a water supply
330. Furthermore, the main cooling loop 602 can be a closed loop.
In alternate embodiments, the main cooling loop 602 is at least
partially open. For example, if the main cooling loop 602 is open,
the water cooling outlet 606 may provide water to other systems
aboard the craft such as to the potable drinking water tank.
[0033] The fuel cell system 600 can also include an air inlet 610,
which can provide the supply of oxygen-rich gas 320 to the fuel
cell system 600. The fuel cell system 600 can also include an
oxygen depleted air outlet 612, which can transport the oxygen
depleted gas 340 produced by the fuel cell system 600. In the
embodiment shown, the water cooling inlet 606, the water cooling
outlet 608, the air inlet 610, and the oxygen depleted gas air
outlet 612 are each outfitted with a treatment unit 614 to treat
the fluid flowing through the respective inlet or outlet via
ultraviolet irradiation and photocatalytic oxidation. However, the
treatment units 614 need not be so limited, but each can utilize
one or more purification methods and need not utilize exactly the
same methods as another. In addition, in the embodiment shown, the
water cooling inlet 606 and the water cooling outlet 608 are each
also equipped with a second treatment unit 616, configured to
prevent formation of mineral deposits or scales in the respective
inlet or outlet using Template Assisted Crystallization. Treatment
units utilizing Template Assisted Crystallization generally cause
minerals to assume crystalline form, thereby preventing formation
of deposits or scales resulting from accumulation of the minerals
in ionic form. In various embodiments, the second treatment unit
616 can form part of the first treatment unit 614. Furthermore,
Template Assisted Crystallization may be utilized as an additional
or substitute purification method by any suitable treatment unit
disclosed herein (e.g., treatment units 325, 335, 345, 375, 425,
445, 475, and 614).
[0034] Treatment units as disclosed herein can be configured to
treat, filter, and/or neutralize one or more of a wide variety of
pollutants. FIG. 7 is a table of common pollutants treated in
accordance with various embodiments. The table lists common
pollutants according to the World Health Organization.
Additionally, while treatment units as disclosed herein can be
configured to treat, filter, and/or neutralize one or more or
different combinations of the pollutants listed in the table, the
listed pollutants are provided solely as examples of pollutants,
and the capabilities of the treatment units are not limited to only
treating these example pollutants. Furthermore, although a variety
of methods have been disclosed by which treatment units may treat,
filter, and/or neutralize pollutants, treatment units can also
utilize other any suitable methods known or later developed for
treating pollutants.
[0035] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated
embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been
described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that
there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form
or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover
all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents
falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in
the appended claims.
[0036] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0037] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *